CHAPTER VII
THE TUDORS AND THE AWAKENING OF ENGLAND, 1485–1603
The King’s Job
Once on a time was a King anxious to understand
What was the wisest thing a man could do for his land.
Most of his population hurried to answer the question,
Each with a long oration, each with a new suggestion.
They interrupted his meals, he wasn't safe in his bed from ‘em,
They hung round his neck and heels, and at last His Majesty fled from ‘em.
He put on a lepers cloak (people leave lepers alone),
Out of the window he broke, and abdicated his throne.
All that rapturous day, while his Court and his Ministers mourned him,
He danced on his own highway till his own Policemen warned him.
Gay and cheerful he ran (lepers don't cheer as a rule)
Till he found a philosopher-man teaching an infant school.
The windows were open wide, the King sat down on the grass,
And heard the children inside reciting ‘Our King is an ass’.
The King popped in his head, ‘Some people would call this treason,
But I think you are right, he said; ‘will you kindly give me your reason?’
Lepers in school are rare as Kings with a lepers dress on,
But the class didn't stop or stare; it calmly went on with the lesson:
What was the wisest thing a man could do for his land.
Most of his population hurried to answer the question,
Each with a long oration, each with a new suggestion.
They interrupted his meals, he wasn't safe in his bed from ‘em,
They hung round his neck and heels, and at last His Majesty fled from ‘em.
He put on a lepers cloak (people leave lepers alone),
Out of the window he broke, and abdicated his throne.
All that rapturous day, while his Court and his Ministers mourned him,
He danced on his own highway till his own Policemen warned him.
Gay and cheerful he ran (lepers don't cheer as a rule)
Till he found a philosopher-man teaching an infant school.
The windows were open wide, the King sat down on the grass,
And heard the children inside reciting ‘Our King is an ass’.
The King popped in his head, ‘Some people would call this treason,
But I think you are right, he said; ‘will you kindly give me your reason?’
Lepers in school are rare as Kings with a lepers dress on,
But the class didn't stop or stare; it calmly went on with the lesson:
